Spofford Pond School Podcast

The Great Polar Bearier Riff New Episodes are Now Available!

Be sure to check out "Cronin Crew Convos" as third graders investigate what it means to be a community leader! Here is one episode you may enjoy: Andrew has a heart to heart conversation with Dr. Castonguay in "I Love My Job!"

Podcasting behind the scenes

For more episodes, follow this link to find our podcast directly at Anchor or you can search for "The Great Polar Bearier Riff" and listen to our podcast on:

Podcasting Essential Questions:

How can we infuse classroom curriculum with technology that is easily accessible

and simple to use?

How can we use this technology to delve deeper into subject matter?

How does this technology strengthen research, writing and collaboration skills?

How does this technology strengthen speaking and listening skills?

Grade 6 Ready to Publish!

We Are Bloggers

Sixth Graders are officially published authors!

Students in Mrs. Sierpina's, Mrs. Magee's and Ms. Osowski's grade 6 classes are getting ready to blog!  First, we spent time discussing blogging and writing for an audience outside of school.  Then each student setup a blog using Blogger.  Students learned to set permissions, comments, layout, theme, format, and sharing and then published their blogs on the internet. Next steps will include posting their writing, adding images and links and responding to comments. According to George Couros, author of The Innovator's Mindset, there are at least five great reasons students should blog (article). Blogging: allows for "open reflection". helps to "develop literacy through different mediums".
"gives students a space for their voice to be heard".
creates "an open archive of learning".
"develops a positive digital footprint". Stay tuned for more about this exciting opportunity and be sure to watch out for our students' blogs as they flourish over the next few weeks.

Technology Essential Questions:

How does this digital tool help improve collaboration and/or communication?

How can we use this digital tool to create original, innovative works and demonstrate a student's unique voice?

How can we use this digital tool to address the different needs, learning styles, interests and abilities of students?

2016 Massachusetts Digital Literacy and Computer Science (DLCS) Curriculum Framework

6-8.CAS.a; 6-8.CAS.b; 6-8.DTC.a.3; 6-8.DTC.a.4; 6-8.DTC.b

Skype and Sketchnotes

Skype and Sketchnotes at Spofford

Students in all grades have had two fun experiences this week.  One experience absolutely relied on technology and the other did not.  However, in both cases students gained new information and new skills. First,  many classrooms participated in a Skype session with Dr. Jane Goodall.  Dr. Goodall spoke about her life as a scientist, her experiences in the field and her current foundations, the Jane Goodall Institute and the Roots & Shoots program.  Classes had the opportunity to ask questions during the Live Chat and even got to take a selfie with Dr. Goodall as well. Congratulations Everyone!  You are now changemakers!

Students also spent time this week learning how to Sketchnote.  Sketchnotes are rich visual notes created from a mix of handwriting, drawings, hand-drawn typography, shapes, and visual elements like arrows, boxes, and lines (definition from Mike Rohde, The Sketchnote Handbook).

We spent some time learning the how-to's of Sketchnoting by watching YouTube videos by Sylvia Duckworth.  Then we practiced on our own!

Technology Essential Questions: How can technology help us participate in the global community?

Are there technological solutions or enhancements to supplement what is being taught?

Why are exploration and creation an important part of learning?

How can we leverage a tool like YouTube to increase engagement and learn new skills?

The Power of the Hook

Hook Videos Capture Curiosity at Spofford Pond School

A fun way to introduce new curriculum topics is sweeping Spofford Pond School - Hook Videos!  These short videos, created by classroom teachers (and sometimes myself) are played as an opening preview to a new topic.  Meant to capture students' attention and build interest in an up-coming unit of study, hook videos are fun to make and share and students seem to love them! Check out a few of our hook videos: To introduce a unit to 6th graders about how the body systems work together to keep you alive, this hook video was created: To introduce a unit of natural hazards and disasters to 4th graders, this hook video was created: To introduce a Revolutionary War Breakout EDU game to grade 5, this hook video was created: To emphasize the importance of reducing plastic, this hook video was created by Amy & Maya on the Green Team/Polar VorTechs: To begin a 6th grade science unit where students will work together to establish a colony on Mars, this hook video was created: What do you think?  Did these videos do the trick?  Did we pique your interest? Are you ready to jump in and make discoveries about these topics? Technology Essential Questions: How can we leverage a tool like iMovie to increase excitement and spark engagement? How can we leverage a tool like iMovie to create anticipation or renew sense of curiosity? How can we use technological enhancements to supplement what is being taught?